CULF 3331: "Middle Eastern Revolutions"

Oct. 22. As the Egyptian government's crackdown on dissent broadened over the last year, university campuses have increasingly been in the crosshairs as one of the last remaining spaces for dissent. Despite efforts to quell political activity on college campuses, there have been at least 58 protests on college campuses since the first week of classes at the beginning of October. As campuses like Cairo University crack down on security and bans on political activity, Egyptian authorities are also attempting to control the activities of the youth. Sisi reinstated the law of appointing university presidents. The administration knows its weakness is the youth population, since all its support comes from the older generation of Egyptians. However, although he acknowledges there grievances, he basically tells them to stay out of the politics that should be reserved for the older generation. By taking this tone with the Egyptian youth, Sisi risks alienating the population and pushing them to join back in alliances between secular and religous groups.

On Sunday, Sept. 28, President Sisi made a speech at Cairo University, declaring his affection and support for the Egyptian youth. He also warned the students against "malicious" activities and that universities were "solely for education." The speech followed the draft of a new controversial law allowing for the arbitrary firing of faculty members. Sisi pledged to dedicate state resources like special councils and scholarship funds to the cause of the youth demographic.

Very funny pictures!

Iran uses "dressing as a Kurdish woman" as a form of punishment to disobedient Iranian civilians

Islamist militias have seized control of Tripoli. The anti-Islamist Zintan militia attacked the libyan town of Kikla, an Islamist stronghold.

Cultural differences between the Kurds and the Arabs

Three activists were found beheaded in Derna, Libya. Islamist Extremists are taking over the government-less Libya.

NPR interview of Scott Anderson, author of Lawrence in Arabia

Stereotypes of Middle Eastern countries during the Arab Spring

Most Western reporters covering the war in Iraq do not speak Arabic, so they are dependent on translators and various officials and getting opinions average people becomes challenging. Too often, you consumers of mainstream media are victims of a fraud. You think you can trust the articles you read - why wouldn't you?

When Rami Khouri, the editor-at-large for The Daily Star in Beirut, graduated from Syracuse University in 1970, he heard no mentions of Palestine in Western media. Today, Khouri sees the same media bias as he did 43 years ago, but now he's capable of speaking out against the Middle East's misrepresentation in the press.

George Orwell, the author of the famous novel 1984, is trending on Twitter after a student was arrested while carrying a copy of the book. Egyptian on social media seized on the perceived irony of the situation and a well known journalist remarked, "that the book is now more popular than ever in Egypt." The reports however may be false and the Giza Security Directorate, General Mahmoud Farouk says the novel had nothing to do with the arrest. Instead it is reported that the student was carrying materials supportive of the IS. The charges against the student remained unclear.

in this episode of " khawater" Alshugairi put audience

khawter host ahmed alshugairi twitter's account

hasan farhan almalki twitter's account

in this video that I found, abu zayed talks about his childhood and experience

"Nasr : My life fighting intolerance (Part 1/2)"

Author: Shaida al-Ameen Posted August 11, 2014 Kurdish female peshmerga fighters have been active during battles against the Islamic State (IS). According to the female troops' leaders based in the Sulaimaniyah governorate, Kurdish female fighters have been on the front lines in the battles against IS.

"Tariq Suwaidan"